Marker for use in the detection of oestrus in animals

Claim 2

A marker for use in the detection of oestrus in animals, including a closed container for holding a marking substance, said container having an outlet opening, a means for effectively sealing said opening and transferring said marking substance including a ball mounted for rotation in the opening, and a spring means biasing the ball in position in the opening yet allowing the ball to be rotated in the opening, means for mounting said container on a male animal in position for transferring said marking substance comprising a harness having a base member for attachment to a male animal, means attaching the container to the base member, adjustable strap means on the base member, one of said strap means encircling the animal''s head rearwardly of the mouth and the other strap means behind the ears, with the base member and container being located on the throat area below the animal''s chin, whereby during copulation or at about the time of copulation with a female animal, the ball will contact an appropriate part of the female animal''s body for causing marking substance in the container to be transferred therefrom onto the skin or hair of the female animal.

Claim 3

The marker as claimed in claim 1 in which said adjustable strap means are defined by nylon reinforced material.

Claim 4

The marker as claimed in claim 2 in which said other adjustable strap means is provided with resilient sleeves located behind the animal''s ears.

Claim 5

The marker as claimed in claim 3 in which said one strap means is provided with a pad for protecting the animal''s nose.

Claim 6

The marker as claimed in claim 1 in which said container is of conical configuration and is provided with a base, said base having spaced lugs thereon passing through slots in the base member so that when the lugs are folded back, the container is secured to the base member.

Claim 7

The marker as claimed in claim 1 in which said container is of conical configuration and is provided with a base flange and rivets securing the base flange and hence the container to the base member.

Claim 8

The marker as claimed in claim 1 in which said container is of conical configuration and said container and base member include complemental means defining a detachable connection between said container and base member.

Claim 9

A marking material dispensing means for use in the detection of oestrus in animals, comprising a substantially rectangular closed container for a marking material seLected from marking liquids and pastes, said container having first and second larger walls disposed a short distance from each other, said first larger wall having a circular opening therein, a ball rotatably mounted in said opening so as to effectively seal said opening, a spring biased between the ball and the second larger wall for holding said ball in position in said opening, but allowing the ball to be rotated therein, stop means extending from the second larger wall in the direction of the first larger wall to limit movement of the ball against the resilience of the spring, said opening having a sharp edge for removing debris from the ball, and a means for attaching the container to the animal in a dispensing position including a halter fixed to the container and holding the container below and against the chin of a male animal, the construction and arrangement being such that during copulation or at about the time of copulation with a female animal, said ball will engage an appropriate part of the body of the female animal to cause marking material in the container to be dispensed therefrom onto the skin of the female animal.

Claim 10

A marking material dispensing means for use in the detection of oestrus in animals, comprising a substantially rectangular closed container for a marking material seLected from marking liquids and pastes, said container having first and second larger walls disposed a short distance from each other, said first larger wall having a circular opening therein, a ball rotatably mounted in said opening so as to effectively seal said opening, a spring biased between the ball and the second larger wall for holding said ball in position in said opening, but allowing the ball to be rotated therein, stop means extending from the second larger wall in the direction of the first larger wall to limit movement of the ball against the resilience of the spring, said opening having a sharp edge for removing debris from the ball, and a means for attaching the container to the animal in a dispensing position including a halter fixed to the container and holding the container below and against the chin of a male animal, the construction and arrangement being such that during copulation or at about the time of copulation with a female animal, said ball will engage an appropriate part of the body of the female animal to cause marking material in the container to be dispensed therefrom onto the skin of the female animal.

Claim 11

The marking material dispensing means as claimed in claim 8, in which said spring is a helical compression spring and said stop means comprises a short tube said spring being mounted within said tube, one end of the spring pressing against the ball and the other end against the second larger wall.